Updated September 28, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team
Emirates vs Kiwibank
Emirates
Kiwibank
Higher score in this comparison
Where Emirates and Kiwibank differ
| Compare | EmiratesReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | KiwibankReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | NZ$0 |
| APR | 19.49% to 29.49% | 12.9%Lower |
| Currency conversion fee | 0%Lower | 2.5% |
| Rewards type | Miles | None |
| Balance transfer intro period | 12 monthsHigher | 6 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 5% | 1%Lower |
| Perks | Emirates Skywards Silver tier status for 12 months (Rewards World Elite Mastercard), Skywards Miles do not expire while the card account remains open, 25% discount on purchase or gift of Skywards Miles when paying with the card, Priority Pass Select lounge access (Premium World Elite Mastercard), USD 120 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every 4 years (Premium World Elite Mastercard), No foreign transaction fees on international purchases | 55 days interest free on purchases |
| Rewards rate | 3 Miles per USD 1 on Emirates spend, 2 Miles per USD 1 on travel spend, 1 Mile per USD 1 on all other spend | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Card kind (Credit).
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Key differences
- Kiwibank scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 9.1.
- Founded is lower at Emirates: 1985 vs 2001.
- APR is lower at Kiwibank: 12.9% vs 19.49% to 29.49%.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at Emirates: 0% vs 2.5%.
- Balance transfer fee is lower at Kiwibank: 1% vs 5%.
- Balance transfer intro period is higher at Emirates: 12 months vs 6 months.
- Perks: only Emirates offers Emirates Skywards Silver tier status for 12 months (Rewards World Elite Mastercard), Skywards Miles do not expire while the card account remains open, 25% discount on purchase or gift of Skywards Miles when paying with the card.
- Perks: only Kiwibank offers 55 days interest free on purchases.
Our verdict on each
Emirates
Emirates suits people who already pay in dollars and spend with the airline, since the miles build fastest on Emirates purchases and there is no foreign transaction fee. It also suits anyone shifting a balance, with a fee of 5% and an intro period of 12. The catch is the annual fee of $99.
Kiwibank
Kiwibank suits New Zealand customers who already bank with the brand and want everyday spending and borrowing on one relationship. The credit card carries an annual fee of NZD 0 and an APR of 12.9%, so it only suits you if you clear balances rather than carry them.
Score breakdown
| Area | Emirates | Kiwibank |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8An annual fee of $99 against a 0% foreign transaction fee, and 19.49% to 29.49% on balances. | 8.8Annual fee NZD 0 and monthly fee NZD 0 sit against a currency conversion fee of 2.5%. |
| Offer | 9.3miles on Emirates and travel spend, with lounge access and Silver tier status on the top card. | 9.9Higher |
| Trust | 9.4Higher | 9.2 |
Spending 1,000 abroad
Emirates
0
0% of 1,000
Kiwibank
25
2.5% of 1,000
Emirates comes out 25 lower in this example.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Emirates | Kiwibank |
|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | 151 of 1020 | 130 of 1020 |
| Balance transfer cards | 9 of 35 | 5 of 35 |
What we checked
Emirates
- emirates.com: 14 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Kiwibank
- kiwibank.co.nz: 7 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- creditcardscompare.co.nz: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- en.wikipedia.org: 3 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- wise.com: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Emirates | Kiwibank |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Not confirmed | No annual fee |
| Features | Rewards | Not confirmed |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business |
| Legal entity | Emirates | Kiwibank Limited |
| Headquarters | United Arab Emirates | New Zealand |
| Founded | 1985Lower | 2001 |
| Support channels | Email, Chat, Phone, Help centre | Phone, Email, Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Emirates | Kiwibank | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | 19.49% to 29.49%above the median | 12.9%lowest quarter | 19.39 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0%below the median | 2.5%above the median | 1% |
| Balance transfer intro period | 12 monthsbelow the median | 6 monthslowest quarter | 15 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 5%highest quarter | 1%lowest quarter | 3% |
Median across 312 listed cards.
Pros and cons
Emirates
Pros
- No foreign transaction fee on international purchases, a currency conversion fee of 0% on a card that sits at the top of our list on that measure
- Earning miles rather than cashback, and Skywards Miles do not expire while the card account stays open
- A balance transfer fee of 5% with an intro period of 12, useful for clearing a balance from another card
Cons
- An annual fee of $99 puts it near the top of our annual fee ranking, and Wise charges £0
- Interest of 19.49% to 29.49% applies on balances, and the lower end of that range is still above the site median
- A balance transfer fee of 5% still applies after the intro period of 12
Kiwibank
Pros
- The credit card has an annual fee of NZD 0 and the everyday Visa debit card has a monthly fee of NZD 0
- Purchases get an interest-free period of 55 days interest free on purchases, which suits clearing balances in full each cycle
- Help is offered on phone, email and chat, including phone, email, chat and a help centre
Cons
- The rewards type on the credit card is none, so everyday spending earns nothing back
- The currency conversion fee of 2.5% ranks 192 of 259 brands compared
- A balance transfer charges a fee of 1% and lasts 6, so the saving is short lived
Who each suits
Emirates
Who it suits
- People who fly Emirates often and put most of their spending through the airline
- Anyone paying in dollars and spending abroad, since the currency conversion fee is 0%
- Holders of a balance on another card who can clear it inside the intro period
Who should look elsewhere
- Wise users who want a card with an annual fee of £0 and a simpler cost base
- Anyone building credit from scratch, since a card aimed at established credit history is the wrong tool and the Chime Card (Secured Visa Credit Card) is built around a deposit with an annual fee of $0
- Spenders who never touch the airline, since the highest rate applies only to Emirates spend
Kiwibank
Who it suits
- Kiwibank account holders in New Zealand who want a Visa card for everyday spending with a monthly fee of NZD 0
- People planning a large purchase and paying it off inside the interest-free period of 55 days interest free on purchases
- Business users of a Visa debit card, since the card is aimed at a business audience
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers who spend abroad often, since the currency conversion fee is 2.5%
- Shoppers who want cashback, since the rewards type is none
- Borrowers carrying a balance past the 6 intro period, who pay 12.9% and might prefer the Varo Believe Secured Credit Card
Current offers
Emirates
Current offer
Bonus
Emirates Skywards Silver tier status for the first year with the Rewards World Elite Mastercard: Emirates Skywards Silver tier status for 12 months from card account open date
Primary cardholders only; to retain Silver tier from the second year onwards spend USD 20,000 in Net Purchases annually; status can take up to 8 weeks to reflect
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Emirates Skywards Gold tier status for the first year with the Premium World Elite Mastercard: Emirates Skywards Gold tier status for 12 months from card account open date
Primary cardholders only; to retain Gold tier from the second year onwards spend USD 40,000 in Net Purchases annually; status can take up to 8 weeks to reflect
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Emirates | Kiwibank |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | No | Yes |
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Emirates
What does the Emirates card cost to hold?+
The annual fee is $99 on the card. Interest on balances runs at 19.49% to 29.49%, and a balance transfer is charged at 5%. If you want a card with no annual fee, the annual fee on Wise is £0.
Is there a foreign transaction fee on the card?+
The currency conversion fee is 0%, and international purchases carry no foreign transaction fee. That makes the card one of the cheapest for spending abroad, provided the rate your issuer applies is competitive. It also means travel purchases do not eat into your miles with an extra layer of cost.
Kiwibank
What does it cost to keep a Kiwibank card?+
The credit card has an annual fee of NZD 0 and the everyday Visa debit card has a monthly fee of NZD 0, so holding either costs nothing on its own. Borrowing on the credit card is what costs money, at an APR of 12.9% on any balance you carry.
What is the interest-free period on purchases?+
Purchases get an interest-free period of 55 days interest free on purchases, which is one of the longer runs on the market and suits people who clear the balance each cycle. Any unpaid amount after that period is charged at the standard rate of 12.9%.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Emirates
Kiwibank